BMW SA (new rules for car history)

[Charlie Brown]

As some of you know I'm looking for a new car and followed forum members advice by sending the VIN number off to BMW SA to get the service history and the "comments" etc.

Tried it Monday and the below reply from them ??

Good day,

Kindly note that we need permission from the current owner of the vehicle in order for us to issue you with any details on this vehicle and Motorplan.

If the vehicle is already under your name, please send me a copy of the registration certificate and I will send you the relevant information.

Please be advised that we only issue out service history and status of Warranty and Motorplan contracts. We do not issue out any comments from our system as these are only for our administration purposes.

Regards,


BMW (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd

Miss Princess Mashamahite
Customer Service Representative
Dept Code: ZA-VA-1-3
P.O Box 2955, Pretoria 0001
Phone: 0800600555
Fax: 0866755397
mailto: [email protected]
Url: http://www.bmw.co.za/

Has anyone experienced this before ? If this is the case them it's pointless.

 

[Raybimmer]

"We do not issue out comments...":biglol::biglol::biglol:
What if the car was stuffed and fixed repeatedly ?

 

[zaleonardz]

This has always been the case,

if your buying from a dealer, ask them to collect the history for you, or ask for a copy of the reg.

This is common practice actually..

 

[rick540]

So you have to actually buy the car to find out it was welded up from two separate chassis, had three engines, a cancelled Motorplan because it was drag raced which kept snapping the propshaft and diff as well.... That sucks!

Technically they are right and it should be no problem for the owner giving his permission. if he doesnt want to do that, then run away from the car.

 

[Charlie Brown]

This makes no sense, the point of the whole process is to get an objective point of view on the car you are buying. If you have to rely on the seller to supply you this info from BMW then what's stopping the seller from editing parts of the history and the comments section ?

The reports comes in pdf, but those take 5 mins to edit and seller can make his look prestine.

 

[Twinz]

If this is a service/warranty/MP history record of the car held by BMW then i cannot see how the record can be edited by the owner. It seems BMW wants permission from the owner to release the record to you. This is the right protocol to follow.

 

[Seether]

If this is a service/warranty/MP history record of the car held by BMW then i cannot see how the record can be edited by the owner. It seems BMW wants permission from the owner to release the record to you. This is the right protocol to follow.

+1

You shouldn't be able to look up the history of a car without the owner's consent.

 

[sivz]

Before I bought my car in JHB I went to SMG in CT, and they were very helpful.
They gave me every single comment (of which there was none) and the history of ownership etc. before I had even inspected the car.

This was last year November.

So perhaps try going into a/various BMW dealership(s) and try your luck again...

 

[Seether]

Before I bought my car in JHB I went to SMG in CT, and they were very helpful.
They gave me every single comment (of which there was none) and the history of ownership etc. before I had even inspected the car.

This was last year November.

So perhaps try going into a/various BMW dealership(s) and try your luck again...

If BMW or another dealership is selling the car I don't see a problem. If its a private sale, then its a different matter altogether.

 

[sivz]

Before I bought my car in JHB I went to SMG in CT, and they were very helpful.
They gave me every single comment (of which there was none) and the history of ownership etc. before I had even inspected the car.

This was last year November.

So perhaps try going into a/various BMW dealership(s) and try your luck again...

If BMW or another dealership is selling the car I don't see a problem. If its a private sale, then its a different matter altogether.

Yes I understand, and I knew this before we went to SMG. I didnt tell her it was from a dealer, but now I think of it, she could of seen that it was at a dealer before releasing the information.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
I can understand if they refuse to give you the owners particulars, that is indeed private, but I feel the info of the car should be open to the public.

Like I have enatis to my disposal, and I give you guys info on the car, BUT NEVER OF THE OWNER!!!! :nono:

So Charlie, try calling another dealership, make it clear to them that you are in the process of buying the car, but you dont want to buy a piece of shit. Also be clear that you want ONLY the service details and accident history, if any, and you dont want the owner details.

I am pretty sure they should help you. :thumb:

 

[FaSTandFurious]

This has always been the case,

if your buying from a dealer, ask them to collect the history for you, or ask for a copy of the reg.

This is common practice actually..

Thats as far as I know. Imagine if this wasn't the case

 

[tcal69]

I won't want people to know my car history without my consent, I would have to agree with BMW here:fencelook:

 

[Coisman]

I won't want people to know my car history without my consent, I would have to agree with BMW here:fencelook:

imp:
Why??? I mean, I am proud of my car's history, in fact, I wont have ANY problem with bmw giving out the service history, as long as my personal information stays out of the hands of the person doing the query.

 

[Yuvan]

:thumbdo:

 

[moranor@axis]

when i bought my car i just walked into SMG with the vin on a piece of paper and they gave me the details no problem...

I just said im looking at buying this car and i would like to see what im getting...

If they getting sticky tell whoever you buying from to write you a letter so you can get the history...

 

[sivz]

when i bought my car i just walked into SMG with the vin on a piece of paper and they gave me the details no problem...

I just said im looking at buying this car and i would like to see what im getting...

If they getting sticky tell whoever you buying from to write you a letter so you can get the history...

Thats exactly how i did it, so if all else fails, go through SMG.

Was yours through a dealer or private?

 

[KarshS]

Well i have personally found out that asking dealers for the history is a bunch of bull especially if you buying the car from them. They tend to remove or not update any comments on the cars history.

I went to Melrose Arch BMW and put through an application to buy an e90. I was told that the car has one comment to the amount of 30k. Which is not bad as that could be just a fender prang.

a few days later an outside source told me the car has been in 4 accidents and was almost permanently in at BMW for repairs.

So catch my drift?

 

[tcal69]

I won't want people to know my car history without my consent, I would have to agree with BMW here:fencelook:

imp:
Why??? I mean, I am proud of my car's history, in fact, I wont have ANY problem with bmw giving out the service history, as long as my personal information stays out of the hands of the person doing the query.

Ok let me rephrase. I wouldn't want ANYBODY from ANYWHERE just to get my car info without me knowing it.

1st is my car. 2nd what right does anybody have to just get the info on my car.

I will agree if I'm selling my car privately then sure you can go ask for any info you want, because nowadays with CPA, you can't really hide anything.

But what I'm concern is people who just browsing and not that serious of a buyer wants to get their nose into everything. I'm sure few of our forum members who were selling their car had this problem. When people had a little dirt or false info on something and everything is blown out of proportion.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Just have a friend in BMW and they will sort you out with the CARS details only!

I requested info on a possible comment and that was it.
Hopefully there isnt any underhanded dealing going on with the personal details being issued to randoms!